On the recordJune 12, 2015
I thank my friend for yielding. Over the past 2 years, I have been a part of efforts, good-faith efforts, to write the strongest possible fast-track bill. But the process the legislation has gone through recently, with Ways and Means Democrats denied every opportunity to improve the legislation in committee, while Republicans were accommodated in the Customs bill with anti-immigrant, anti-environmental provisions, has moved the bill in precisely the wrong direction from what might have gained my support. Therefore, I plan to vote against TPA today. But I strongly oppose the devious and reckless efforts to bring down TPA by trying to defeat the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act. TAA is a good bill which reflects longstanding Democratic priorities, and the objectionable Medicare offset that it contained has been removed. TAA has been critically important in North Carolina. I refuse to put displaced workers at risk for the sake of a political tactic. I urge my colleagues, play it straight. Support TAA whether or not you support TPA.
